There is nothing worse than getting into your car, turning the key and…it doesn’t start. Having battery issues is a common problem during winter, as the colder months can be tough on weak batteries.
This is because the cold causes the oil inside the engine to thicken, which makes it harder for the engine to turn over. This, in turn, demands far more current from the battery, but the battery cannot produce its normal amount of energy because of the cold.
Along with that, the ability to accept a charge drops, so the battery doesn’t recharge as quickly when the vehicle is being driven. Another consideration is the load increase when heaters, blowers and lights are switched on.
While three to five years is a typical life span of a battery, various internal and environmental conditions impact on a battery’s long-term health, including how far and often you drive, climate and how long electronic accessories such as your smartphone are plugged into your vehicle.
Some common signs of a weak battery include:
- A grinding or a clicking sound when you start the ignition.
- Headlights dimming when idling, but brightening when the engine revs.
- The vehicle cranks slowly when attempting to start it.
Along with removing devices, try these three tips from MIWA to reduce the chance of your battery dying in the colder months:
- If the battery is more than five years old and there’s any sign of it struggling to start the car, get it replaced. Some batteries will struggle on for a bit longer, but many won’t.
- Check that everything electrical is turned off when you park overnight – even an interior light, boot light, or radio left on overnight can kill a battery when it’s cold.
- Switch off everything electrical when you start a cold car.
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